Measuring apparatus for determining the depth of oil wells or the like



D. SCARAMUCCI LIKE MEASURING APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE DEPTH OF OIL ,WELLS OR THE Filed Jul-y 13, 1959 wh mw II A III A 05. n nu pun wwmvvmh nm .m l n '1 I'\|| lu. l mm m H W E, H WWW W wmmn .Wm nH con N I... E.

WWW Uwm WWW Patented Mar. 10, 1942 MEASURING arrana'ros FOB. DETERMIN- i rg rnn DEPTH or on. WELLS on THE Domer Scaramuccl, Norman, 0kla., assignor to Oil Equipment Engineering Corporation, omhoma City, Okla, a corporation of Oklahoma Application July 13, 1939, Serial No. 284,331

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a measuring apparatus for determining the depth of oil wells or the like, and more particularly to a means for determining accurately the position of an object in a well.

In the present method of sounding by the use of a simple measuring line, the operator must feel the line to determine the instant the sounding weight strikes bottom or an object in a well. The practice of this method of operating the line has been found tedious and inaccurate, especially in deep wells filled with viscous fluid which tends to deaden any sensation to be detected by feeling the line.

When a measuring line is used in the cementing of wells, cement is forced into the well casing between two plug members, the upper plug being immediately followed with the sounding weight attached to the measuring line. The operator by alternately raising and lowering the weight on the upper plug is ordinarily able to detect the plug by the feel or difference in weight, but with the increase in the depth'of wells, and with an increase in the viscosity of the drilling fluid, the present practice of locating the plug becomes increasingly haphazard.

Thereforeit is an object of the invention to provide means for accurately sounding wells in which excessive line friction is encountered such as exists in crooked wells, wells drilled to a great depth, and wells containing viscous fluid. It is another object of the present invention to provide a means of transmitting signals to the surface to denote depth at which a sounding weight has encountered an obiect in the well.

A further object of the invention is to provide an accurate means of sounding for a cementing plug in the well casing by electrically transmitting a signal to the surface which will positively indicate the position of the plug.

A specific object resides in the provision of a sounding weight housing a pressure-balanced electric switch connected to a conducting measuring line and, through the medium of a surrounding electrolytic fluid such as is found in oil wells, to the continuous, metal casing of a well or the like.

In a co-pending application, Serial No. 283,878, filed July 11, 1939, in the name of the present inventor, there is illustrated and described a "related device in whicha sounding weight containing a pressure-balanced electric switch has a pair of conductors comprising the measuring line operatively connected to said switch. No claim is made herein to an appara- .lll

tus having both conductors in the measuring line or to a pressure-balanced switch embodying the diaphragm construction of that application.

The preceding and other features and. advantages of the invention will be better understood and appreciated from a reading of the following detailed description of a. specific embodiment and two modifications thereof in conmodification of the weight, also within a well I casing.

Referring to Fig. 1, l0 indicates generally an electrical sounding weight which is suspended by a weight line it which serves as an electrical conductor and is provided with a sheathing it of insulating material. A pulley i i supports the weight ill and directs the line 112 more or less horizontally to a reel it, which is used to pay out said line and to measure the extended length thereof. This pulley M is mounted at the head of the well in the manner illustrated; with a conventional rotation counter (not shown), it may be used as the lineal measuring means for the line i2.

The reel Hi is provided with a connector IS in electrical contact with the conducting line I? and joined by a conductor 20 to a voltage source 22, indicated as a storage battery, and electric current-indicating means such as a galvanometer ductor adapted to be placed in electrical contact with the current-conducting fluid 30, normally found in oil wells.-

As shown inFigs. 2, 3, and 4, the electrical sounding weight in, which may be of brass or other similar material, comprises a frusto-conical top portion 82, a. generally cylindrical midportion 34, and a frusto-conical'lower end portion 36. The midportion 34 is threaded into the top portion 32 at 38 and has the lower end portion 36 threaded into it, as indicated by the numeral 48. The chamber thus provided in the weight l8 of Fig. 1 contains a resilient cell 42, having a circumferential flange 44, secured in place in a complemental annular groove 46 of the middle weight portion 34. A contact pin 48 extends through the upper end of the cell 42, and may be molded therein. At its upper end, the contact pin or member 48 is connected to the conducting weight line l2, and at its lower end, which-is within the cell, it is joined by a conductor 58.to a terminal 52 of a two-terminal electric switch. The terminal 52 is partially embedded in the wall of cell 42, has a portion 52 extending horizontally within the cell 42, and carries a contact or point 54 on its underside in alignment with a contact pin 56 extending through the bottom wall portion of said cell. Pin 56 is preferably of brass, and of the double-headed rivet shape, illustrated in Fig. 2; it also may be molded into the rubber cell 42.

In an aligned position below the pin 56, is a pin 58 reciprocable in the lower end portion 36 of weight [8. The pin means 58 is metallic, e. g.,

brass, and includes an integral upper head 68 and a metallic head or.member 62 threadedly connected to its lower end, and projecting outwardly of the weight I8. A coil compression spring 64 is arranged to hold the head 62 in the outwardly extended position of Fig. 2. It should be noted also, that the pin means 58 has a sliding fit in bore 66 of lower end portion 36, that the spring or resilient means 64 abuts the upper end of a counterbore 68 and the adjacent end of the head 62, and that said head is fitted into a a still larger counterbore 18, which opens at the lower end of weight l8.

The molded rubber switch cell 42 is filled with an insulating fluid 12, such as oil, and is exposed at its upper end to the pressure of fluid in casing 28 by reason of a 'circumierentially spaced series of openings 14 extending into the chambered portion of the weight l8. Below the cell 42, a similar series of openings 16 exposes the lower portion of said cell to the pressure of the casing fluid 38.

When the weight l8 of Fig. 2 encounters an object, such as a solid or substantial upper cementing plug 88 (which is shown within the casing 28 of Fig. 1), the head 62 will be pushed into the weight so as to move the pin means 58 upwardly against the spring 64. As the head 68 of pin means 58 engages the lower end of contact pin 56, the upper end or contact of said pin will be moved into engagement with the contact 54 on the switch terminal 52. The circuit. which this operation of the pin means 58 closes comprises conductor 28, current-indicating means 24, battery or other current source 22, the line conductor i2, contact pin 48, conductor 58, switch terminal 52, point 54, contact pin 56, the electrolytic bore hole fluid 38, and the metallic casing 28. In this form of weight and switch, the conducting fluid 38 will be in direct electrical contact with the brass contact pin 56, and the metallic pin means 58 through its ends, and

through its sliding engagement with the lower end portion 36 of metallic weight l8.

As previously noted, the rubber switch cell 42 is subjected to hydraulic pressure on opposite ends and is filled with an incompressible fluid. Note is taken also that the cell 42 is laterally restrained throughout most of its vertical dimento hydrostatic pressure, but will yield to operate the switch means when overcome by the mass of the weight l8 acting downwardly against a substantial and relatively stationary object in the well bore.

By means of the sounding weight which has been described, it is possible accurately to determine at all times the location in well casing 28 of a fluid cement body 82, which is pumped down said casing between the upper plug 88 and a lower plug 84. Those versed in this'art will realize the importance for cementing purposes of precise knowledge as to the nearness of the cement to the bottom or shoe 86 of the well. The electrical sounding ,device of the present invention provides unusuallyeflicient and relatively simple means for checking the position of the cement throughout its descent in the well.

A modified form' of means for balancing the effect of a hydrostatic head on the switch-operating member is illustrated inFig. 3. In this modification, a weight I88 includes the upper top portion 32, an intermediate portion .348 of inverted and cylindrical cup-shape, and a lower end portion 368. The member 348 is threaded into the upper portion 32 at 388, and has the lower portion 368 threaded into its lower end through an end portion 482 of the member 348'.

This end portion 482 divides the chambered portion of weight I88, in the manner-shown. The

insulated line conductor I2 is led through the upper end portion 32 into the chamber of weight I88, where it is connected to the adjacent end.

of the contact pin 488. The other end of pin 488, which is on the opposite side of the partition member 482, has a conductor 588 connecting it to a switch terminal 528 partially embedded in an insulating block 52l, suitably secured to the inside or the intermediate weight portion 348. A contact or point 548 is attached to the underside of a laterally extending portion of terminal 528. Within the samechamber as the contact 548, there is a reciprocable pin means 588, which has its upper end extending through the partition member 482. A threaded packing gland 581, and a compressible packing 582 seal the upper end of pin means 588, so that fluid cannot leak in from the upper portion of the weight chamber, which portion contains the openings 14 for admission of bore hole fluid 38. The lower end of pin means 588 extends through the lower end portion 368 of the weight and is sealed with a threaded gland 583 and compressible packing sion by the mid-portion 34 of the sounding though it is not possible for fluid to leak into the portion of the weight chamber which encloses the switch terminal 528, and a spaced contact member 585 carried by the reciprocable means 588, it is preferable to fill the switch chamber with the insulating fluid '12, in order that all possibility of inflow of corrosive bore hole fluid can be eliminated. A collar 586. secured to the pin means I80 above the member 585, furnishes a lower seat for a compression spring I" having its upper end bearing against the partition member 48!, for biasing the point 540 and contact member 585 in a spaced relation. y

The lower end portion 380 of theweight I receives a lower guide member 382 in a threaded upward reciprocation 01 pin means 580 will engage the switch contacts 540 and 585'and complete the circuit which includes the metallic pin means 500, lower portion I60, and the conducting well fluid 30. Pressure balancing in this instance is obtained by the approximately equal pressures acting on the opposite ends of 'pin means 580. a

Because of the close similarity between the,

modified form of weight, shown in Fig. 3 and the further modification of Fig. 4, only the essentially diilerent characteristics oi. the latter will be explained in detail. A somewhat different form of means for balancing hydrostatic pres sure is provided by separating the switch operating member or reciprocable pin means into two parts. One of these is a lower pin means 59D having the switch terminal and movable contact member 585 on its upper end within the oil-filled chambered portion of weight IM and a metallic head member 82! threadedly connected to its lower end and projected outwardly of said weight by a compression spring 640. I the partition member 482, there extends the other, a plunger 59l which has an enlarged lower head 592 within the chambered portion of weight it! and a similar head 593 detachably secured to its upper end, where it will be subject to the pressure of well fluid 30 entering the weight it" through its openings l4. lhe reciprocable pin means 5% is sealed by a packing gland 593 threaded in a lower end portion 365 of weight llil; and the plunger 59! is also provided with a packing gland, tfll, threaded into the partition member 68% after the manner described with respect to Fig. 3.

It is possible with this arrangement to provide pressure balancing means separate from the switch operating meansifld. Plunger '59 can move relatively to the switch-operating member 556 in response to any up or down movement of the latter. Obviously, this modification requires that the switch chamber of weight llll be filled with insulating fluid 12.

In thisinstance, a predetermined amount of pressure-balancing is obtained by use of the separate plunger'SSl which has one end within the fiuid-filled switch chamber of weight illl and an opposite end exposed to the hydrostatic pressure of the well fluid. tendency toward upward movement by the lower pin means 590 in response to hydrostatic pressure on its head member 52! is opposed by the action of the plunger 59L the fluid filling the switch chamber being incompressible. It is only when the additional gravitational force of the weight iOi becomes eflective, that is, upon obstruction to movement oi the reciprocating head member GZI, that sufllcient unbalance can be Through obtained to operate the switch means represented by contacts 5 and 58!.

Without modification, each of the specific sounding weights and its associated pressurebalaneedswitch means may also be used with the two-conductor element line 01 the co-pending application which has been referred to herein.

That is to say, instead of relying upon the elecextending through the wall of the chamber. and

arranged to operate the switch, said pin means having a head portion projecting outwardly of the weight and a plunger portion on its opposite end also extending through the wall of the chamber, and said weight being provided with openings for exposing the plunger to the pressure of a liquid in which it is immersed; resilient means for urging the head portion of the pin outwardly of the weight for yielding engagement with an external object; and a weight line comprising'an insulated conductor connected to one contact of said switch, the other contact being provided by the pin means.

2. A sounding weight i'or use in oil wells or the like comprising a fluid-filled chamber; an

' electric switch having spaceable contacts within said chamber; and slidable pin means extending through a wall of the chamber and arranged to operate the switch when slid by engagement of its head portion with an external object, said pin means having a head portion projectingoutwardly of the weight and a plunger portion on its opposite end also extending through awall oi the chamber, and said weight being provided with openings for exposing the plunger to the pressure of the liquid in the well or the like.

3. In an electric sounding apparatus for use in cased wells of considerable depth, a sounding weight adapted to be lowered into the metallic casing of the well; make-and-brealr. electric I switch means carried by said weight; a sounding Accordingly, any

line secured to said weight and comprising a single, insulated conductor connected in circuit with one side of said switch means, the other side thereof having an electrical connection through the said weight presenting an exposed contact on its outside adapted to be placed in circuit with the metallic casing; and means projecting outwardly from and movably associated with the said weight and constructed and arranged to operate the switch means when said projecting means encounters a solid object in the well.

4. In a system for electrically sounding oil wells having a metallic casing extending substantially throughout the depth thereof, the combination comprising a sounding weight adapted to be lowered into the metallic casing of the well: a makeand-break electric switch within said weight; a weight line consisting of a single insulated conductor connected at one end to one terminal 01 said switch, the other terminal of said switch having an electrical connection through said,

weight presenting an exposed contact on the outside of said weight adapted to be placed in circuit with the adjacent portion of the metallic casing; a switch-operating member projecting from said weight and movable with respect thereto constructed and arranged to operate the switch upon encounter with a solid object within the well casing; and current flow indicating means connected in circuit with the other end portion of the weight line conductor and the surface end of the metallic casing.

5. A sounding weight for use in oil wells or the like comprising electric switching means; conductors operatively associated with said switching means for controlling a source of current; a liquid-filled chamber in said weight containing said switching means; and means partially projecting from and slidably associated with the weight and arranged for opening and closing said switching means when slid by being brought into contact with an external object, said switch operating means having opposed portions arranged to be exposed to approximately the same hydrostatic pressure in the well or the like so as to counteract the tendency of the switch operating means to move in response to hydrostatic pressure on the part thereof which projects from the weight for engagement with an external object.

6. An electrical sounding device for use in elemtrolytic liquids, which comprises a generally cylindrical weight with frusto-conical ends and provided with an internal chamber; a body of insulating liquid filling said chamber; a plunger confined entirely within the weight extending through the wall of the chamber, said weight being provided with openings for exposing the portion of the plunger without said chamber to.

the pressure of a hquid in which it is immersed; an electric switch having a pair of spaced contacts within said chamber; slidable pin means also extending through the wall of the chamber and having one of the'contacts secured thereto,

. said pin means having a head portion projecting outwardly of the weight; resilient means for extending the pin outwardly of an end of the weight; and a weight line comprising an insulated conductor connected to the other contact,

er confined entirely within the weight and extending through the wall of the chamber, said weight being provided with openings for exposing the portion of the plunger without said chamber to the pressure of the liquid in the well or the like; and slidable pin means also extending through a wall oi the chamber and having one oi the contacts secured thereto, said pin means having a head portion projecting outwardly of the weight for operating the switch when brought into contact with a solid object.

8. A sounding weight for use in oil wells or the like comprising electric switching means having spaceable contacts; conductors operatively associated with said switching means for controlling a source of current; a liquid-filled resilient cell forming a pressure-balanced chamber enclosing the contacts or" said switching means; and means movably associated withthe 'weight and cell and projecting outwardly from said weight from a position adjacent said cell for operating said switching means by pressure on said cell when brought into contact with a solid object.

DOMER SCARAMUCCI. 

